by
Robert Salbaum
Just because your agency doesn't have a tremendous
advertising or marketing budget doesn't mean it can't promote itself
better. Here are dozens of low cost, practical ideas that will
help you to increase your visibility, sales, customer service and
profits.

Sales related:

Greet every prospect
enthusiastically. Show genuine interest in them.
Statistics show that 50% of a prospect's decision of who to buy from
is based on the amount of genuine interest the salesperson
displays. No action can possibly have a bigger payback for the
investment required.

Know the products you are
selling. Accuracy of information establishes credibility which
accounts for another 25% of a prospect's decision of who to buy
from.

Make a concerned commitment to
try to close one more sale a day. Get the proper training so
that you have the tools to achieve this goal.

Upgrade every sale. Offer
to book cars, deluxe rooms, travel insurance, optional tours, and so
on.

Call two current clients every
day just to check in with them. Let them know you are thinking
about them and getting excited for them as their vacation
approaches.

Send brochures to three past
customers every day. Tell them you thought they'd find these
tips of interest. Follow up with a call to discuss your
suggestions.

Send every customer a handwritten
thank you note within a few days of their return from
vacation. Follow up every letter with a personal telephone
call within a week of their return. Don't do one or the
other. Do both!

Set aside one hour a day to make
call backs, follow up calls and do research.

Offer special limited time only
incentives to get clients to book on the spot. (Use
Entertainment book cruise upgrades, car rental upgrades, etc.).